Engine downsizing

In the <a href="/facts/Automotive_industry/fGFKUIlA">automotive industry</a>, engine downsizing is the practice of utilizing smaller <a href="/facts/Internal_combustion_engine/Ju4BXzj0">combustion engines</a> over larger ones of the same <a href="/facts/Engine_power/fPMMeyF7">power</a> capacity when manufacturing <a href="/facts/Vehicle/jSIEqANL">vehicles</a>. It is the result of <a href="/facts/Car_manufacturer/7zoETfQA">car manufacturers</a> attempting to provide more efficient vehicles that emit fewer <a href="/facts/Exhaust_gas/kLpq1eUX">emissions</a>, often mandated by legislative <a href="/facts/Vehicle_emission_standard/2vrAgltu">standards</a>. The term generally relates to traditional internal combustion engines powered by <a href="/facts/Gasoline/lcnxq5BS">petrol</a> or <a href="/facts/Diesel_fuel/lm71xc19">diesel</a>.
Many manufacturers are reducing engine <a href="/facts/Engine_displacement/qkHXacPv">displacement</a> and the number of <a href="/facts/Cylinder_(engine)/XlMRcfFl">cylinders</a>. By adding a forced aspiration device (<a href="/facts/Turbocharger/xuabwHlB">turbocharger</a> or <a href="/facts/Supercharger/gvEtspvw">supercharger</a>) and <a href="/facts/Gasoline_direct_injection/sYFbNNJm">direct injection</a> technology, they provide a powerful engine with similar performance to a much larger engine, but with much improved efficiency and reduced <a href="/facts/Carbon_emissions/Cu9nXPHE">carbon emissions</a>. A smaller engine is also often lighter, so less overall energy is expended while driving. Reducing the number of cylinders also reduces the amount of friction in the engine, increasing the efficiency.
Some observers have not been convinced by manufacturer's claims that reducing engine size provides a more efficient car. Some tests have shown that some downsize engines have lower <a href="/facts/Fuel_economy_in_automobiles/Nslwm6vu">fuel economy</a> in everyday driving than the larger engines they replace.

Engine downsizing open-in-new

Engine downsizing